North Star Stories: Sherburne Cares

                               

What started as a little holiday cheer for some of the community’s most vulnerable has endured, and even grown, over the past three decades at NYCM Insurance’s Sherburne branch. 

The NYCM Sherburne Christmas Cares program started in the 1990s when a few Team NYCM members partnered with Catholic Charities of Chenango County to bring toys and kindness to local children in need.  

Over the past five years, NYCM has expanded its reach and has partnered with the Unadilla Valley (UV) and Sherburne-Earlville school districts. During the 2025 holiday season, the Sherburne team provided Christmas magic to 53 children across 24 families. 

With wish lists in hand, employees shopped with care, thoughtfully selecting gifts that reflected each child’s needs and interests. To help make the season a little brighter at the table, every family also received a $35 grocery gift card.

This year, our Human Resources team helped extend the reach of the program by providing Christmas gifts for three children from one UV family, handling everything from shopping and wrapping to coordinating delivery.

Thanks to the generosity of our employees and the company’s dollar-for-dollar match, every contribution went twice as far. Together, $3,051.55 became $6,103.11, allowing NYCM to provide $100 in gifts per child, along with food support for families, and deliver a holiday filled with care, dignity, and joy.

“I can't tell you how proud I am of the people who work here,” shared NYCM team member and Christmas Cares organizer Kathy Wagner. “Every single one of them has supported the effort in some way, whether it’s buying a snack from the snack shack or wrapping gifts.  It’s not always money; it’s volunteer time and caring.” 

Reflecting on the long-standing partnership, the recently retired Supported Housing Coordinator for Catholic Charities of Chenango County shared, “Thank you and the staff at NYCM for all you have done over the years for our families.”

At NYCM Insurance, we live our North Star values by expressing and demonstrating genuine care for people’s well-being so that others have hope for a better tomorrow and the courage to persevere.

To learn more about the culture and benefits of joining Team NYCM, visit the link below.